Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
But then she just landed with the ball.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
[Shakes head.]
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
Traveling. Turnover.
@polli_wanna_cracka—Indianapolis, Indiana
what the heck was THAT????
@make_it_rayne_23—Cleveland, Ohio
sidney got the girl SHOOK!
@philly_yap—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
she ain’t scared man she’s TROLLIN’ these fools
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
It was no secret that Lizzy wasn’t, let’s say, pleased with how she’d been welcomed into the league. The network carrying the game had supposedly Photoshopped her chest to look bigger beneath her jersey in the pregame promos. A thirteen-year-old girl! It was sick. So a lot of people, myself included, thought that first possession was a protest to all that.
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
It was brilliant. I loved it.
Lizzy Trudeaux
I got so into the game that I forgot. I forgot the power was gone. I remembered at the last instant and, I don’t know. I froze. I messed up.
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
That’s why she’s a legend, in my opinion. She does this stuff that transcends the game. Like that protest shot. She has this way of exposing the hypocrisy, the bias, that’s been right beneath the surface in sports and society the whole time.
Lizzy Trudeaux
I was scared, man. That’s what it comes down to. I was scared that I’d miss and everyone would laugh at me. That I, playing as myself, wasn’t good enough.
Rick “The Wizard” Trudeaux—Lizzy’s Father
We made eye contact as she ran back on defense. I pounded my heart like, You got this. You’ve been working for this your whole life. Don’t back down.
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
She didn’t shoot again on the second possession, but she made one of the most beautiful passes I’d ever seen. It was like she knew she was this magnet drawing all the defense’s attention toward herself, and she used that to create openings for her teammates. Brilliant.
Rick “The Wizard” Trudeaux—Lizzy’s Father
I smiled. I knew right away. Okay, tonight she’s playing point guard.
Harry Hawkins—Bells Guard
She wouldn’t shoot. It was weird. But she was good enough playing point that we were right in the game. We were this crappy last-place team, but she made us all better.
Jimmy Mack—Bells Head Coach
That’s what a great point guard does.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
The assists started piling up. Sidney’s competitive, so he started doing the same. He started throwing these crazy passes too.
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
It was tied 56–56 at the half. A lower-scoring game than the one in LA, but the tempo was still breakneck. Lizzy was always looking to push the ball. Every single time. I said to my colleague, “Okay, she has to get tired eventually, right?”
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
[Grins.] They obviously don’t know Lizzy.
Jimmy Mack—Bells Head Coach
[Runs bubblegum cigar beneath nose.] I wasn’t takin’ her out no matter what.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
The beginning of the third quarter was one of the craziest sequences I’d ever seen. It was like Trudeaux had given Alou a high five in the locker room and her magic had rubbed off. First time down, Alou took a dribble—always a scary sight—and heaved up a three-pointer with, like, twenty seconds still left on the shot clock. It looked like a soccer throw-in. Everyone in the arena put their hands on their heads like WHAT ARE YOU . . . But then the ball swished through. He ran back down the court, firing his hands like pistols, smiling from ear to ear.
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
Three in a row. Alou Achebe comes out to start the third quarter and drains three straight. What can you do? How do you even block his shot if you want to? A ladder?
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
Lizzy was still piling up the assists.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Then Harry Hawkins caught fire. He hit three in a row. Philly went up double digits.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
The game was turning into a blowout.
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
I called a time-out. I knew just what we needed.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
Sometimes, instead of drawing up a play in the huddle, Coach just reads us these weird riddles that he has scribbled on little scraps of paper in his pocket. He was like—
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
[Draws two stick figures on coach’s whiteboard.] Two monks are staring at a flag blowing in the wind.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
[Shakes head.]
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
The first monk says, “The flag is moving.” The second monk says, “No, the wind is moving.” Their teacher walks by, glances up, says, “No wind. No flag. Mind is moving.”
I could tell they weren’t really getting it. They’re not quite on my level.
Leonard Galloway—Cleveland Guard
Coach had lost his mind. Sid took over. He was like, “Yo, listen, this is what’s gonna happen.”
Harry Hawkins—Bells Guard
They started fouling us.
Alou Achebe—Bells Center
And not just anyone.
Harry Hawkins—Bells Guard
They started fouling our worst shooters.
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
It definitely went against the “spirit of the game,” as they say. But it worked. Philly’s big men kept bricking free throws. Cleveland rebounded, advanced the ball quickly, ran their offense, and chipped away at the lead.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
The other thing the fouling did was give Cleveland a chance to catch their breath. The constant fouling neutralized Lizzy’s superior endurance.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
I’ve had clogged toilets that flowed better than that third quarter.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
The Philly fans were out of their minds. They were like—
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Booooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Every time you looked up, the Bells’ lead shrank. Fifteen points. Thirteen. Eight. Six. Two. Then it was tied.
Emily Murray—Philadelphia Sports Columnist
It was a cheap strategy. But it worked.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
Finally, the game got moving again. The Philly fans gave a big mock cheer.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
The whole fourth quarter was back-and-forth. We were “on the seesaw,” as we say. Philly was up one, then Cleveland was up one, then Philly was up one. Then it was tied. We got to the final media time-out—
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
And that was when it started, I think. That was the first time I heard it.
Alou Achebe—Bells Center
It was during a TV time-out. Coach Mack was drawin’ up a play on his hand, the way he always did. “Okay, you start here—”
Harry Hawkins—Bells Guard
It’s weird—Coach Mack, most times, he’s practically deaf. But it’s like he can focus with his ears the way you focus with your eyes. Like he can squint his ears. Those big, droopy ears. He stopped drawin’ the play, clo
sed his eyes, and listened.
Jimmy Mack—Bells Head Coach
[Closes eyes. Listens.]
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
It started in the upper levels, the nosebleeds, where the working people sit.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
LIZ-ZY LEG-END (clap clap clap-clap-clap). LIZ-ZY LEG-END (clap clap clap-clap-clap).
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
When chants start like that—and I don’t mean the LET’S GO BLAH-BLAH crap they pump through the speakers nowadays—when a spontaneous chant starts up like that, it’s like a few people rubbing some sticks together. It takes a minute to catch, but when it does, the flame spreads quickly. It gulps down all the oxygen in the place.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
Yeah, we all heard it. How could you not? But if you’re a competitor, then in that moment you want nothing more than to shut that crowd up. It fuels both teams, just in different ways.
Alou Achebe—Bells Center
It was a cool moment. It was like—you know thunder and lightning? How the lightning strikes and then you hear the thunder? It was like everything was reversed. First you heard this huge, booming chant, the thunder, and then the thought flashed inside your head. You thought: This is it. This is her moment. I’m about to witness history. I’m a part of it.
Lizzy Trudeaux
I knew this was my moment. It was time to step up. I couldn’t be afraid anymore.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Coming out of the time-out she looked over at me—well, I thought she was looking at me, but she was looking at her dad. They have this weird language where they can say entire sentences without actually talking out loud. Must be a father-daughter thing.
Rick “The Wizard” Trudeaux—Lizzy’s Father
[Narrows eyes. Crosses arms.]
Lizzy Trudeaux
[Nods.]
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
That last minute will go down in history. Basketball history, at least.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announer
They ran this beautiful play coming out of the time-out. A double screen. Lizzy came off it tight, just like you’re supposed to, shoulder to shoulder. She curled off it, caught the ball at the top of the key.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
She was wide open.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Wide open.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
Just like at the beginning of the game.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
But this time she didn’t hesitate.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
She rose up.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
Perfect form. Absolutely flawless. Totally fluid.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
The ball looked different coming out of her hand.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
It wasn’t a line drive like the last game, like we’d seen before.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
It had this gorgeous arc to it. A moon shot.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Clank.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
It hit off the side of the rim and went out of bounds.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Everyone in the arena gasped at the same time.
@hate_the_playa_not_tha_game_99—Oakland, CA
ewwwwwwwwwww
@jedi_jump_shooter—New Orleans, LA
**watches trudeaux catch ball**
**watches ball float toward rim**
**stares at tv in disbelief**
@hate_the_playa_not_tha_game_99—Oakland, CA
ewwwwwwwwwww
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
She kept her cool. It didn’t faze her.
Lizzy Trudeaux
I was mortified. I was reeling. I couldn’t believe it.
Jim Gulch—Ardwyn Middle School Boys’ Basketball Coach
So now it’s Cleveland’s ball. Tied game. Thirty-five seconds left. The crowd’s on their feet. “DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE!” Sidney clears his teammates to the corners and dribbles until the shot clock’s running down.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
Trudeaux was on him, crouched in her stance, forcing him left.
Lizzy Trudeaux
He went right anyway. I couldn’t stop him.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
Sidney was too strong. He went right, pulled up at the elbow.
Jim Gulch—Ardwyn Middle School Boys’ Basketball Coach
Lizzy recovered, but Sidney just soared straight up over her. She couldn’t do anything about it. Sidney let it go—clean release, perfect backspin.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
It swirled around.
Leonard Galloway—Cleveland Guard
Spun out.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
I’m jumping up and down. Yes! Yes! Yes!
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
Alou snagged the rebound and handed it off to Lizzy. Ten seconds left. Me? I’d call time-out. But she didn’t. She took off.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
She went flying up the court. It was incredible.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
Sidney was with her the whole way, hands high above his head so he didn’t foul her.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
Five seconds left. I can still see it. She’s in front of the Bells bench, dribbling with her right hand, almost shoulder-high.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
Sidney’s eyes go wide. He can’t resist.
Jim Gulch—Ardwyn Middle School Boys’ Basketball Coach
You can see the visions of glory dancing in his eyes.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
He lunges for the ball.
Lizzy Trudeaux
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
She pulls the ball hard across her body—“draws the curtain,” as they say.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Her dad’s famous move.
Jimmy Mack—Bells Head Coach
Get ’em leanin’ one way . . .
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
Whoosh.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
She said it was like the whole arena vanished.
Lizzy Trudeaux
Suddenly, I was back at the playground.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Three . . .
Lizzy Trudeaux
All alone.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Two . . .
Lizzy Trudeaux
There was no sound at all. No wind. Nothing.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
One . . .
Lizzy Trudeaux
Just me and the basket.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
She pulls up at the foul line.
Wilson James—Photographer
I’m beneath the basket. I lift my camera as she lifts the ball.
Bill “Chalk” Rasner—Nationally Syndicated Sportswriter
All her shots were beautiful. But that one especially.
Deepak Lobsang—Cleveland Head Coach/Spiritual Guru
I remember it happening in slow motion. Probably because I’ve seen the replay so many times. Trudeaux’s leaning forward, ever so slightly. The ball’s just above her eye level. Her guide hand comes off. The b
all’s on her fingertips. She pushes it forward. Her wrist tips down like the head of a swan. Beautiful. She’s watching the ball, wide-eyed. I’m watching it. Everyone’s watching it. It’s floating toward the rim, spokes spinning.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
The ball hits the front of the rim. It skips forward, hits the backboard, hits the front of the rim again, bounces straight up, swirls around twice, dips halfway in, and then . . .
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
It drops in.
Rick “The Wizard” Trudeaux—Lizzy’s Father
It drops in.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar
It drops in.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
The horn sounds.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Bells win! Bells win! Bells win! She did it! She did it! Lizzy Trudeaux did it! Bells win!
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lizzy Trudeaux
I blinked, and I was back in the arena. For a second, I didn’t know where I was.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
There’s nothing like a game-winning shot at the buzzer. Nothing. There’s this incredible energy, this swell that starts in your toes and shoots up through the top of your head. Boom! That happens to all twenty thousand people at once, and it’s like the roof explodes off the building.
Mark McClaine—National TV Broadcaster
God, I love basketball.
Toby Sykes—Trudeaux’s Best Friend
It was wild, man. All the Bells players were jumping around on the court, celebrating. I was jumping around on the court. We all were. Coach Gulch. The whole middle school team. We were just jumping. I was looking around for Lizzy.
Tad Wexler—Bells TV Announcer
Lizzy was at midcourt with Sidney.
Ovid Green—Bells Color Commentator
They hugged. He leaned down and said something to her.
Sidney Rayne—Basketball Superstar